This week I was in a near accident.
I left the house to take my daughter to camp. I got caught by the red light and stopped, not realizing that the tractor trailer ahead of me was not moving because he was stuck. When the light changed to red, he started using the opportunity to back up. He was within inches of my car. And worse yet, within inches of where my daughter was sitting as we both watched it. I figured out how to move from where I was and move out of danger. Thank God for divine protection.
As I drove off thanking God, I checked my feelings as I had been experiencing driving anxiety for the past 5 months. While I was physically shaking as a response, there was not that sensation in the pit of my stomach that something was wrong. And I was still comfortably driving the town speed limit.
I had realized in the days/week before that my anxiety was subsiding. I started to analyze all the things associated with it. I had freely talked about it with others and realized that many others were suffering in various capacities too. I had talked to professionals, both in an office setting and when I came in contact with them at events – I had learned to talk openly, and that took away the idea that these things shouldn’t be discussed. For today’s post, I googled the statistic on those suffering with anxiety.
Here’s what I found, along with the site.
• Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.
• Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.
https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
Those are staggering numbers.
Why have I shared on this topic multiple times?
Because by sharing, I know that I can help someone overcome their fear and to walk boldly in their own purpose. The more we talk openly about what’s going on with us, the more we can get the help and encouragement we need.
I pray that as you hear about my own experiences that you realize that what you are going through is nothing to be ashamed of. We live and work in fast paced environments that can cause a lot of stress and anxiety, and it’s totally ok to seek help and resources to get better.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for these lessons. Sometimes they are hard lessons, but I’m still grateful because unless I walk in someone else’s shoes, I cannot understand where they have been. Help me to continue to overcome, so others can see that all things are possible with you. Give us all the courage and faith to work through what we are dealing